Don't wait 15 years to get a bagger! Get it now! Don't wait. Now!!!! :woohoo:I sold my softail in 07 and felt that I was done w/bikes for awhile. Then my buddy showed up with a Electra Glide Classic. I got the bug and last year bought a used one. Let me tell you there is nothing in the world to compare with a bagger you have set up the way you want it. It's a pleasure to ride! Once you get yours you'll never miss that other bike. Don't blow your money on the backyard when you can go to the park! Make the upgrade and you'll never regret it. Trust me!!!

 

Friend-

Everybody dies. Not everyone lives.

Take care & God Bless

 

Not everyone lives.

Three little words that say A LOT.

 

Everyone has their reasons for riding or not riding. I understand your reasoning but can't say i agree with it. Still, it's a personal choice so i'll stop at that. Good luck.

 

There are entirely too many members here that stopped riding for 10-20 years for the same reason you did.
Your priorities are yours, thanks for sharing

 

I go through that same emotional struggle every spring, when it is time to get back on the bike. I have a daughter that was born with a brain injury, has epilepsy and considerable developmental delay. She relies on my wife and I for everything, preparing her meals, helping her in the bathroom, dressing etc. Now my wife is going through Chemo, after having a double masectomy. I am sure I will struggle with that same decision again, in a few months, but we all realise that I can't be much help, if I am totaly miserable either.

 

Man,i thoght i had it rough........hang in there,buddy.

 

I know what you mean. When I got married I decided to give up skydiving (100+ jumps) because it just wasn't fair to drive off on the weekend with the wife, and now kids, wondering if daddy was coming home today.

If I could make a suggestion it would be to get on the internet and start researching frames for the new chopper you've always wanted to build for yourself. If you have the money from the sale you can put down a piece of it on a frame. Then procrastinate all you want while building out the rest of the bike. The more the itch, the more you'll work on it. When you decide you've waited long enough you can finish the build and you're ready to ride. This also keeps you active on the forum since you'll be asking about finding parts and who has experience rebuilding a 30 year old kick start tranny that you found cheap.

Just a thought...

 

that is some of the greatest advice I have ever heard.
And you can be posting pics of the build, could be a record for the longest build.
My 89 Ultra build, 6 years and counting.
Man's gotta have a project to get lost in.

 

You sold the bike to put money in the backyard, seriously?

 

What would you do for your kids? To me family come first and not my wants just need to balance it all out in your mind. Then at the end of the day reflect on what had happened that day but do not justify any of it. You will find you did do the right thing.

 

My wife has a similar fear. She hasn't gotten on the back of the bike since having our daughter last spring.

I must admit I think about it occasionally too. There's been a few days that I even jumped in the car because of it. Usually within a week the itch gets me and the fear goes away.

I like the guy above had about building your perfect bike.

Of course, I also saw you still have a dirt bike. I'm sure when the itch comes, you'll take it out for a weekend.

 

Only you can decide what is best for yourself. I can't knock you for that. I took a pretty long hiatus from riding once. Looking back on it, I still think it was the right thing to do. I hope I'm still on two wheels when you decide it's time to ride again. But as far as I'm concerned, you're welcome to hang around here until you do. :beer:

 

It's your choice. you need to do what's right for you and your family.

I got hit my a girl driving and texting last may. Broke my shoulder and foot. tore up my knee. I certianly had doubts when I got back on the bike.

i've got plenty of friends that stopped riding when their kids were small.

good luck and god bless

 

I think you have done the right thing. If you are worried while riding you are not paying attention. Also thank you for wanting to be a stable man in your kids life, to many would rather have fun themselves and not think about the affect it will have on their kids, they are our future. Enjoy the dirt bike and see you in a few years.

 

I was without a bike for 6 years, worst 6 years of my life, I do understand the thought about texting. I have felt like killing a few texters, I think it is total BS what they get away with....little slap on the wrist, should be more like a dwi second time jail time

 

I experianced about 4 years not rideing for same reasons, would do it again.. Gotta listen to your Gut Feeling...

 

I quit riding for 22 years while the kids were growing up. Ended up selling the Vette too because it was interfering with my family time.

Did I miss either activity? No, not really. I knew either my life priorities had to change or I'd be living by myself with the wife probably owning both the bike and the Vette.

Now that the kids are grown and gone I have time to enjoy riding once again. Now that the bike has become one of my life's priorities I can't imagine being without it.

Good luck during your biking hiatus. Before you know it you'll be out shopping for our new replacement for the bike you recently sold.

The down side is in 10-15 years you probably won't be hearing the old familiar "potato, potato" sound of a V-twin Harley. Nope, all you'll hear will be the silent movement of an electric motorcycle.

 

gotta say it's good to see a lot of people have felt something similar.
thanks for the suggestions.
the suggestion about a bike project is a cool one.

i guess i shouldn't have bought the bike in the first place when before buying the wife was really upset about the whole idea and my little girl at the time was wanting me to promise to only go down the street. you gotta have the family blessing.
who knows what i'll do. trust me already have thought about the option of buying used in awhile if this still is depressing me. but that
just seems weird after getting rid of a perfect cond. bike i knew.

but in response to the earlier post...no i didn't sell the bike to fix the yard, wish it was that easy.

 

I like BluesCruiser's idea. Not a bad one at all.

But, I understand how you feel. Back about 300 years ago (lol)
when my first child was still in the oven I decided to grow up and
do the responsible thing. I sold my bikes and my Vette. The bikes because I was thinking the same as you, what would happen to my new child if something happened to me. The Vette? Well, that was just because I felt that it was a source of extra money. Not only from the sale but from the extra money I'd have that I didn't spend on the Vette. But, I told my wife that I would have another bike again one day. The day the guy drove the Sporty down the street and the day I watched my Vette disappear down the block were horrible days for me. I actually felt sick. So I really do know how you feel.

I wish that I had thought of BluesCruisers advice. I could have had a pretty cool bike later on.

 

Whatever works for YOU. I was about 45 when I had to make a choice of either two-wheelers or keeping the wife of 25 years. She was worth it and I lost her last April after almost 46 years. For therapy in June I bought an 883 (had to shift too much), July I swapped it for an XL1200C ( I got stupid too fast on it!) so I swapped for the FatBoy. Lord knows it was wonderful to get back riding, and it kept me from some serious depression. I kinda worry about the idiots out there too. Already had one pull across the road in front of me...clamped the brakes on the fatboy and managed a stop without losing it, did slide the rear wheel a bit. Lots of changes in the 20 plus years I didn't ride, mostly being cell users and ditzy little girls with their head somewhere else.

 

I have been in this position. I was a single dad for 5 years, and the bikes had to go. Mostly becuase they were in both our names, but raising kids alone definitely causes one to think about risk assessment. I am glad ai did it, have no real regrets. I am married agin, I still have four in the house. They are all over 11 now, and I started riding again in 08. I will not give it up again. The new wife and I ride together. We had two metric cruisers we rode together. I digress.

I can say where I can agree with opposing points of view, and have even had this argument with my brother who is now a single parent as well. I respect his choice not to ride, but I also remember what is was like not to ride too. I know its confusing, but in the end I have to do a plus 1 for the prior post, you have to trust your gut.

I would make that decision again too. By the way, I know ride with my sons, so it was worth the wait.

 

harleybeg, I think there are seasons for everything. Right now, you're in a season of raising your family. The bike riding season will be there at the appropriate time.

 

Concise, balanced, to the point, and well said.

 

I quit riding for 27 years. No regrets.

 

i gave up bikes when i was just starting a family ..
There was not enough money for a motorcycle habit back then.
It would have been selfish.

 

I feel the same when I am on my bike but I also feel the same when I get in my car. I am not giving up either one. We just have to be alert and careful. oh, and one last thing, you worry bout a girl hitting you while txting? Hon, boys text just as much. Just saying... Alot of states are making it illegal, we can only hope that these people obey the law so we can enjoy our rides. Gob bless.

 

Too bad about getting psyched out like that.
But people in cars get hit and killed just the same.

 

Live for today, tomorrow will take care of it's self and yesterday is gone... When it's your time, it's your time no matter what you do in life... The hardest part of any decision is making it... You made yours and there is no right or wrong in it...

 

There are many people on and off this forum who give-up motorcycle while raising a family and return to it again later as I did. It has nothing to do with being a "real biker" thats all B.S. propagated by someone trying to make his/herself important. You have a family, do what works for you and motorycyling will be here when you are ready to ride again.
RJ